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Russia Is Readying the Zinc Coffins Again

U.S. officials believe Russia is facing its toughest fight since World War II.

Report |
Jack Detsch

Shipping Is Staying Cool About Taiwan

The maritime insurance industry sees little elevated risk from China’s exercises.

Argument |
Elisabeth Braw

The Taliban Are Wrecking Ashura Too

Afghanistan’s extremist rulers are cracking down on minorities, especially Shiites, as hard as they have on women.

Analysis |
Lynne O’Donnell

Georgia’s Ruling Party Is Tanking Its Own NATO Bid

Accusing the U.S. ambassador of blackmail is just the start.

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Will Cathcart
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Americas

Americas

A visitor at the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin on Sept. 25, 2019.
A visitor at the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin on Sept. 25, 2019.

Germany Has Confronted Its Past. Now It Must Confront the Present.

Accepting—or rejecting—historical guilt for past evils doesn’t absolve nations of present-day responsibility.

Argument |
Marci Shore
U.S. Navy sailors bring ammunition supplies ashore for Cubans fighting for independence from Spain in this print published in 1898.
U.S. Navy sailors bring ammunition supplies ashore for Cubans fighting for independence from Spain in this print published in 1898.

America’s Long Road to Global Power

Michael Mandelbaum has written a masterful interpretation of the twists and turns of U.S. foreign policy.

Review |
Charles A. Kupchan
Pablo Picasso with his arts dealer Daniel-Henry Kahnweiler
Pablo Picasso with his arts dealer Daniel-Henry Kahnweiler

How Picasso Became Big Business

A new history of modern art flips the script by focusing on dealers, collectors, and curators.

Review |
Diana Seave Greenwald
A group of German children stand atop building rubble to cheer a U.S. cargo plane as it flies over a western section of Berlin in 1948 as American and British forces airlift food and supplies to after Soviet forces surrounded and closed off the besieged city. Bettmann Archive/Getty Images
A group of German children stand atop building rubble to cheer a U.S. cargo plane as it flies over a western section of Berlin in 1948 as American and British forces airlift food and supplies to after Soviet forces surrounded and closed off the besieged city. Bettmann Archive/Getty Images

Why Superpower Crises Are a Good Thing

A new era of tensions will focus minds and break logjams, as Cold War history shows.

Analysis |
Hal Brands
Robert Malley, a man with glasses, is seen from the side against a black background.
Robert Malley, a man with glasses, is seen from the side against a black background.

Iran Deal Talks Go Into Overtime

The top U.S. negotiator is making a last-ditch trip to Vienna.

Situation Report |
Jack Detsch, Robbie Gramer
U.S. President Joe Biden and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on July 16.
U.S. President Joe Biden and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on July 16.

The Old Human Rights Playbook Won’t Work Anymore

As Biden’s Saudi visit showed, state-to-state shaming isn’t the only way to shift the calculus of authoritarian rulers who abuse their citizens.

Argument |
Suzanne Nossel
A photo taken on October 21, 2020 shows a tourist walking past a mural painted on a wall on Taiwan's Kinmen islands, which lie just two miles from mainland China's coast.
A photo taken on October 21, 2020 shows a tourist walking past a mural painted on a wall on Taiwan's Kinmen islands, which lie just two miles from mainland China's coast.

What Does the Pelosi Taiwan Uproar Mean for U.S. China Policy?

The controversy over Nancy Pelosi’s proposed trip highlights the contradictions of U.S. policy toward the island.

It's Debatable |
Emma Ashford, Matthew Kroenig
Cuban singer Dianelys Alfonso
Cuban singer Dianelys Alfonso

Cuba’s Music Industry Is Having a #MeToo Moment

Alleged assaults by musicians have sparked a larger conversation on gender violence in the country.

Analysis |
Rebecca Bodenheimer
Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele gestures during his speech at the closing ceremony of the Latin American Bitcoin & Blockchain Conference at Mizata Beach, El Salvador, on Nov. 20, 2021.
Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele gestures during his speech at the closing ceremony of the Latin American Bitcoin & Blockchain Conference at Mizata Beach, El Salvador, on Nov. 20, 2021.

El Salvador’s Scramble for a Bailout

With top officials beset by U.S. sanctions, the country’s IMF negotiations are bound to get complicated.

Latin America Brief |
Catherine Osborn
People hold up signs saying "#Build Back Better" and "JOE MANCHIN IS BURNING OUR FUTURE FOR PROFIT"
People hold up signs saying "#Build Back Better" and "JOE MANCHIN IS BURNING OUR FUTURE FOR PROFIT"

By Not Acting on Climate, Congress Endangers U.S. National Security

Another failed bill further weakens the country’s global position.

Argument |
Jason Bordoff, Meghan L. O’Sullivan
U.S. President Joe Biden speaks about infrastructure investment during the first day of the G-7 leaders' summit held at Elmau Castle in southern Germany on June 26.
U.S. President Joe Biden speaks about infrastructure investment during the first day of the G-7 leaders' summit held at Elmau Castle in southern Germany on June 26.

The G-7 Infrastructure Plan Won’t Succeed Unless It Learns from Past Failures

Rather than antagonizing political opponents and geopolitical rivals, the U.S. government should entrust infrastructure development to the World Bank—and fund it generously.

Argument |
Stephen Paduano
New U.S. citizens wave American flags at a naturalization ceremony, welcoming more than 7,200 immigrants from over 100 countries on March 20, 2018 in Los Angeles, California
New U.S. citizens wave American flags at a naturalization ceremony, welcoming more than 7,200 immigrants from over 100 countries on March 20, 2018 in Los Angeles, California

The U.S. Needs a Million Talents Program to Retain Technology Leadership

Immigration is the United States’ secret sauce—including in its competition with China.

Argument |
Graham Allison, Eric Schmidt
U.S. President Joe Biden arrives at the King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on July 15.
U.S. President Joe Biden arrives at the King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on July 15.

Should Biden Backtrack on His Campaign Promises?

The president’s trip to Saudi Arabia and talk of regional security guarantees are a dramatic departure from his rhetoric during the 2020 race.

It's Debatable |
Emma Ashford, Matthew Kroenig
U.S. President Joe Biden meets with Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador at the White House in Washington on July 12.
U.S. President Joe Biden meets with Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador at the White House in Washington on July 12.

Will U.S. ‘Nearshoring’ Go From Buzzword to Trend?

Washington says it wants to relocate supply chains to the Americas but has offered few concrete incentives to do so.

Latin America Brief |
Catherine Osborn
Egyptian workers fill sacks with wheat during harvest in Saqiyat al-Manqadi, Egypt, on May 1, 2019.
Egyptian workers fill sacks with wheat during harvest in Saqiyat al-Manqadi, Egypt, on May 1, 2019.

How to Feed the Planet

It is possible to protect nature and provide nutrition for all. Here’s what the U.S. needs to do to make it happen.

Argument |
Nigel Purvis, Joshua McBee
U.S. President Joe Biden (C) flanked by Secretary of State Antony Blinken (R) and U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan (L).
U.S. President Joe Biden (C) flanked by Secretary of State Antony Blinken (R) and U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan (L).

Biden Needs Architects, Not Mechanics, to Fix U.S. Foreign Policy

As the U.S. midterms near, Washington is plagued by groupthink and a lack of vision that prevents creative solutions to the problems of a new era.

Argument |
Stephen M. Walt
Echeverría is shown surrounded by reporters holding microphones and video cameras up to him.
Echeverría is shown surrounded by reporters holding microphones and video cameras up to him.

Luis Echeverría Álvarez Was a Demagogue With Big Dreams

The former Mexican president aimed to transform global imbalances. But he’ll be best remembered for his repressive regime at home.

Obituary |
Ana Sofía Rodríguez Everaert
Adam Tooze, a British historian and Columbia University professor, attends the annual Edinburgh International Book Festival at Charlotte Square Garden in Edinburgh, Scotland, on Aug. 25, 2018.
Adam Tooze, a British historian and Columbia University professor, attends the annual Edinburgh International Book Festival at Charlotte Square Garden in Edinburgh, Scotland, on Aug. 25, 2018.

Why This Isn’t an Economic Crisis

Adam Tooze points out that while the economy is in rapid slowdown, this is no time to panic.

Q&A |
Ravi Agrawal
A man walks along a street in Cuba.
A man walks along a street in Cuba.

In Cuba, Protesting While Poor Is Now a Crime

A year after mass demonstrations, the island continues to crack down on its most vulnerable communities.

Dispatch |
Lillian Perlmutter
Elisa Loncon (front left), a Mapuche activist and former president of the Chilean Constitutional Convention, attends the ceremony to present the draft of the new constitution to Chilean President Gabriel Boric on July 4.
Elisa Loncon (front left), a Mapuche activist and former president of the Chilean Constitutional Convention, attends the ceremony to present the draft of the new constitution to Chilean President Gabriel Boric on July 4.

Chile Unveils Its Proposed New Constitution

But the country’s cycle of political change remains in flux ahead of a September referendum on the progressive charter.

Latin America Brief |
Catherine Osborn
Women with skull face paint stand with cardboard images of tombstones in front of their chests.
Women with skull face paint stand with cardboard images of tombstones in front of their chests.

Inside Brazil’s Abortion Pill Black Market

In a country where one woman dies every two days from a botched abortion, the internet is sometimes the only option.

Dispatch |
Leonardo Coelho
Afghan people climb atop a plane as they wait at the airport in Kabul on Aug. 16, 2021.
Afghan people climb atop a plane as they wait at the airport in Kabul on Aug. 16, 2021.

The U.S. Needs to Find the Middle Ground on Afghanistan

Both maximalist and minimalist strategies have utterly failed.

Argument |
Sadiq Amini
U.S.  Ambassador  to NATO Julianne Smith speaks during a news briefing in Brussels on Feb. 15.
U.S.  Ambassador  to NATO Julianne Smith speaks during a news briefing in Brussels on Feb. 15.

U.S. Ambassador to NATO: New China Strategy Is a ‘Big Deal’

Julianne Smith on the military alliance’s new strategic concept, Finland’s and Sweden’s accession, and Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Q&A |
Ravi Agrawal
Biden waves from a plane entrance while wearing a mask.
Biden waves from a plane entrance while wearing a mask.

Biden Heads to a Nervous Middle East

Both Israel and Saudi Arabia want a stronger deterrence stance on Iran.

Situation Report |
Jack Detsch
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (4th R) attends a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping (3rd L) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Feb. 22, 2019.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (4th R) attends a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping (3rd L) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Feb. 22, 2019.

How Biden Can Reverse China’s Gains in Saudi Arabia

Preventing growing Chinese influence in the Middle East is more important than making Riyadh a pariah.

Argument |
Dore Feith, Ben Noon
Abortion rights activists react to the Dobbs ruling outside the U.S. Supreme Court.
Abortion rights activists react to the Dobbs ruling outside the U.S. Supreme Court.

Roe Reversal Exposes the ‘Ever-Growing Value Gap’ Between U.S. and Allies

The decision is part of a broader trend of domestic dysfunction that undermines U.S. President Joe Biden’s democracy agenda.

Report |
Christina Lu
Americans will eat approximately 150 million hot dogs on the Fourth of July.
Americans will eat approximately 150 million hot dogs on the Fourth of July.

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Hot Dogs

A deep dive into this very American food.

Q&A |
Cameron Abadi
U.S. President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attend a meeting of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity at the Izumi Garden Gallery in Tokyo on May 23.
U.S. President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attend a meeting of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity at the Izumi Garden Gallery in Tokyo on May 23.

Biden’s Indo-Pacific Economic Framework Is a Paradigm Shift

The United States can no longer afford to buy geopolitical allies with market access.

Argument |
Robert D. Atkinson
An aerial view of an island, beach, and cruise ship.
An aerial view of an island, beach, and cruise ship.

China Is Sweeping Up Pacific Island Allies

Here’s how Washington can fight back.

Argument |
Jim Kolbe, Peter Devine
arms race-senor-salme-illustration-site
arms race-senor-salme-illustration-site

The Art of the Arms Race

To avoid disaster, the United States must relearn crucial Cold War lessons.

Analysis |
Hal Brands
Demonstrators with shields gather in Quito, Ecuador, on June 29.
Demonstrators with shields gather in Quito, Ecuador, on June 29.

Ecuador’s Uprising Is Only the Beginning

Public pressure for fuel price relief could echo across the region.

Latin America Brief |
Catherine Osborn
Abortion rights protesters gather at the U.S. Supreme Court to denounce the court's decision to end federal abortion rights protections in Washington on June 26.
Abortion rights protesters gather at the U.S. Supreme Court to denounce the court's decision to end federal abortion rights protections in Washington on June 26.

Is Pinkwashing the Future of Post-Roe America?

Global anti-abortion activists have waved off criticism by pointing to their support for LGBTQ rights. But U.S. conservatives may be too extreme for that tactic.

Analysis |
Omar G. Encarnación
The NATO flag
The NATO flag

Why Americans Still Need NATO

The alliance is one of the best bargains in geopolitics.

Argument |
Kathleen J. McInnis
Police block abortion rights protesters in Texas.
Police block abortion rights protesters in Texas.

China Owned My Mother’s Womb. Texas Owns Mine.

On both sides of the Pacific, women are fighting for their rights.

Argument |
Tracy Wen Liu
An upside down U.S. flag is shown with the U.S. Supreme Court building in the background.
An upside down U.S. flag is shown with the U.S. Supreme Court building in the background.

America Is Losing Its Value Proposition

The future will not be pretty for the United States if it cannot rediscover some of the idealism that marked its long rise.

Argument |
Howard W. French
Pete Buttigieg stands with his arm around his husband Chasten behind a podium with a U.S. flag in the background.
Pete Buttigieg stands with his arm around his husband Chasten behind a podium with a U.S. flag in the background.

‘Will I See a Gay President in My Lifetime? Absolutely.’

James Kirchick chronicles how the persecution of gay men in Washington tragically altered 20th-century foreign policy.

Q&A |
Michael Hirsh
Castillo sits in a dark room beside other people, with a slight frown on his face.
Castillo sits in a dark room beside other people, with a slight frown on his face.

Peru’s Democracy Is Dying

Pedro Castillo promised leftist reform. His incompetency has left his country’s democracy on its last legs.

Argument |
Simeon Tegel
Abortion-Roe-Worldwide-foreign-policy-infographic-homepage
Abortion-Roe-Worldwide-foreign-policy-infographic-homepage

Roe Abolition Makes U.S. a Global Outlier

Almost 50 years ago, the United States liberalized abortion laws, and the world followed suit. Today, it joins Iran, North Korea, and Russia in rolling back reproductive rights.

Infographic |
FP Staff
A member of the U.S. Air Force looks on near a Patriot missile battery at the Prince Sultan Air Base in Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia on Feb. 20, 2020.
A member of the U.S. Air Force looks on near a Patriot missile battery at the Prince Sultan Air Base in Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia on Feb. 20, 2020.

U.S. Aid to Saudi Arabia on Missile Defense Is Not Unconditional 

Biden must make it clear to Saudi leaders that continued ballistic missile cooperation with China will jeopardize U.S. missile defense assistance.

Argument |
Bilal Y. Saab
Colombian President-elect Gustavo Petro and Vice President-elect Francia Márquez celebrate their victory at the Movistar Arena in Bogotá on June 19.
Colombian President-elect Gustavo Petro and Vice President-elect Francia Márquez celebrate their victory at the Movistar Arena in Bogotá on June 19.

Can Petro Move Colombia Away From Oil?

If his presidency goes according to plan, the country could become the world’s biggest crude exporter to halt new exploration.

Latin America Brief |
Catherine Osborn
Soldiers patrol the streets in Mexico
Soldiers patrol the streets in Mexico

How AMLO Has Fueled Mexico’s Drug War

He campaigned on “Hugs, Not Bullets.” Now, he’s militarized the country.

Dispatch |
Jared Olson
A protester against Chinese repression of Uyghurs in Xinjiang
A protester against Chinese repression of Uyghurs in Xinjiang

How Congress Rallied Against Oppression in Xinjiang

The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act was a rare—and messy—bipartisan success.

Report |
Haley Byrd Wilt
U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks about project labor agreements at Iron Workers Local 5 in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, on Feb. 4.
U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks about project labor agreements at Iron Workers Local 5 in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, on Feb. 4.

Is America Pushing Human Rights to the Side?

Matthew Duss, a foreign-policy advisor to Sen. Bernie Sanders, appraises the Biden administration’s foreign policy.

Q&A |
Ravi Agrawal
A bitcoin ATM is seen at the Clark Street subway station in New York City on June 13.
A bitcoin ATM is seen at the Clark Street subway station in New York City on June 13.

It’s Time for Regulators to Put Crypto Down

A lack of rules has created fraudulent, bubble-driven markets.

Argument |
David Gerard
US service members wait before deploying to Europe.
US service members wait before deploying to Europe.

U.S. Restraint Has Created an Unstable and Dangerous World

Decades of ignoring the menaces posed by Russia and China has led the West to a precipice.

Shadow Government |
H. R. McMaster, Gabriel Scheinmann
People attend the Conservative Political Action Conference in São Paulo on Oct. 11, 2019.
People attend the Conservative Political Action Conference in São Paulo on Oct. 11, 2019.

A Far-Right Huddle in São Paulo

CPAC Brasil is evidence that Bolsonaro’s brand of conservatism is becoming more mainstream elsewhere in South America.

Latin America Brief |
Catherine Osborn
U.S. Agency for International Development administrator Samantha Power testifies.
U.S. Agency for International Development administrator Samantha Power testifies.

America’s Foreign Aid Is Shackled by Budgetary Obligations

Targeted awards can free up money where its most needed.

Argument |
Walter Kerr, Amanda Arch
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell testifies in the U.S. Senate in Washington on Sept. 24, 2020.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell testifies in the U.S. Senate in Washington on Sept. 24, 2020.

Why This Global Economic Crisis Is Different

This is the first time since World War II that there may be no cooperative way out.

Analysis |
Edward Alden
Solomon Islands Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele (left) escorts Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (center) on his arrival at the Honiara International Airport in Honiara, Solomon Islands, on May 25.
Solomon Islands Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele (left) escorts Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (center) on his arrival at the Honiara International Airport in Honiara, Solomon Islands, on May 25.

Don’t Overreact to China’s Solomon Islands Plans

Naval power projection is a long way out for Beijing still.

Argument |
Lucas Myers
Mushroom cloud from operation UPSHOT-KNOTHOLE Nevada in 1953
Mushroom cloud from operation UPSHOT-KNOTHOLE Nevada in 1953

Learning to Think Nuclearly Again

A new nuclear era demands strategy, not just arms control.

Analysis |
Michael Auslin
Fighter jets from the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces during the Union Fortress 8 military demonstration in Dubai, on March 5.
Fighter jets from the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces during the Union Fortress 8 military demonstration in Dubai, on March 5.

What Is Biden’s Policy in the Persian Gulf?

Talk of security guarantees for the UAE and a thaw in Washington-Riyadh relations could enhance—or weaken—U.S. standing in the region.

It's Debatable |
Emma Ashford, Matthew Kroenig
A soldier in a tank trains in Germany.
A soldier in a tank trains in Germany.

2 Percent Defense Spending Is a Bad Target for NATO

Focusing on military budgets alone hurts the alliance’s relevance.

Argument |
Kathleen J. McInnis, Daniel Fata
U.S. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden greet Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley as she arrives for the Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles on June 8.
U.S. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden greet Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley as she arrives for the Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles on June 8.

A Disjointed Western Hemisphere Gathers

The controversial Summit of the Americas yields some progress on health and migration cooperation.

Latin America Brief |
Catherine Osborn
Lloyd Austin walks off a plane on red stairs.
Lloyd Austin walks off a plane on red stairs.

U.S. Defense Secretary to Meet Chinese Counterpart

China has gained military and diplomatic footholds in Cambodia and the Solomon Islands.

Situation Report |
Jack Detsch, Robbie Gramer
American and Iranian flags, with a man removing the Iranian one
American and Iranian flags, with a man removing the Iranian one

America’s Iran Follies

How two decades of misjudgments by Washington helped lead Tehran to the nuclear brink.

Analysis |
Michael Hirsh
Juan Guaidó in the Venezuelan parliament in Caracas
Juan Guaidó in the Venezuelan parliament in Caracas

Biden Sidelines Venezuelan Democracy at Summit of the Americas

The administration wants to support human rights, but it doesn’t have the courage of its convictions.

Shadow Government |
Elliott Abrams
Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) shakes hands with US President Joe Biden prior to their meeting at the 'Villa la Grange' in Geneva on June 16, 2021.
Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) shakes hands with US President Joe Biden prior to their meeting at the 'Villa la Grange' in Geneva on June 16, 2021.

Biden Is Still Worried About Poking the Russian Bear

“If that’s our attitude, we’re never going to win a war again, ever,” said one U.S. source familiar with the debate.

Report |
Jack Detsch
People holding pro-Trump flags are shown heading toward the steps of the U.S. Capitol.
People holding pro-Trump flags are shown heading toward the steps of the U.S. Capitol.

The Democratic Paradox

The right to say anything has been a challenge to every democracy that has ever existed.

Excerpt |
Zac Gershberg, Sean Illing
Colombian presidential candidate Gustavo Petro celebrates in Bogotá on May 29.
Colombian presidential candidate Gustavo Petro celebrates in Bogotá on May 29.

Colombia’s Fight for the Center

An anti-establishment candidate’s late surge in the country’s presidential race has transformed the election.

Latin America Brief |
Catherine Osborn
McConnell and McCarthy are shown walking away from the White House.
McConnell and McCarthy are shown walking away from the White House.

The Republicans Could Win the U.S. Midterms. Here’s What that Means for the World.

It’s all about isolationists vs. internationalists.

Analysis |
Danielle Pletka
People stand with their hands over their hearts and some holding American flags in a government office.
People stand with their hands over their hearts and some holding American flags in a government office.

The Clearest Path to Global Prosperity

Looser migration restrictions would benefit both rich and poor countries.

Argument |
Howard W. French
A U.S. destroyer approaches an aircraft carrier during the Manila offensive in the Philippines during World War II
A U.S. destroyer approaches an aircraft carrier during the Manila offensive in the Philippines during World War II

The Navy Made America a Superpower Once. Can It Again?

Paul Kennedy made his name bemoaning America’s decline. Now, he highlights a way to reverse it.

Review |
Alexander Wooley
Petro, a man in a suit, gestures while talking in front of a blue background.
Petro, a man in a suit, gestures while talking in front of a blue background.

The Realpolitik of Gustavo Petro

The lifelong outsider has built a campaign team of political insiders in an attempt to win the Colombian presidency.

Analysis |
Will Freeman
A man wears a QAnon shirt while boarding a shuttle bus.
A man wears a QAnon shirt while boarding a shuttle bus.

Americans, Like Swedes, Need Help Telling Fact From Fiction

A botched disinformation board shouldn’t be the end of efforts to educate the public.

Argument |
Elisabeth Braw
First Lady Jill Biden, Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso, and Ecuadorian First Lady María de Lourdes Alcívar de Lasso wave to reporters at the Carondelet Palace in Quito, Ecuador, on May 19.
First Lady Jill Biden, Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso, and Ecuadorian First Lady María de Lourdes Alcívar de Lasso wave to reporters at the Carondelet Palace in Quito, Ecuador, on May 19.

Will Washington Invest in Its Neighborhood?

The June Summit of the Americas is an opportunity to unveil a more ambitious regional economic strategy.

Latin America Brief |
Catherine Osborn
Gustavo Petro, Colombian presidential candidate for the Historic Pact coalition, gestures at the presidential candidate for the Team for Colombia coalition, Federico Gutiérrez, during a presidential debate at the headquarters of El Tiempo in Bogotá, Colombia, on May 23.
Gustavo Petro, Colombian presidential candidate for the Historic Pact coalition, gestures at the presidential candidate for the Team for Colombia coalition, Federico Gutiérrez, during a presidential debate at the headquarters of El Tiempo in Bogotá, Colombia, on May 23.

Is Colombia Ready for a Leftist President?

Election front-runner Gustavo Petro is a former left-wing guerrilla.

Explainer |
Maria Ximena Aragon
The remains of a police car in Somalia.
The remains of a police car in Somalia.

Somalia’s al Qaeda Branch Has Gotten ‘Bigger, Stronger, and Bolder’ Since U.S. Exit

As in Afghanistan, Trump’s decisions to withdraw have only emboldened terrorists.

Report |
Jack Detsch
Cardboard cutouts of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg stand outside the U.S. Capitol as part of a protest against disinformation on the social media platform, in Washington on April 10, 2018.
Cardboard cutouts of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg stand outside the U.S. Capitol as part of a protest against disinformation on the social media platform, in Washington on April 10, 2018.

Texas’s New Social Media Law Will Create a Haven for Global Extremists

A new law restricting content moderation will have ripple effects far beyond the state.

Argument |
Daveed Gartenstein-Ross, Varsha Koduvayur
People hold up signs and protest.
People hold up signs and protest.

How Chile’s Constitutional Overhaul Emboldened the Right

Even if the new constitution is adopted, Chile’s anti-democratic right wing is here to stay.

Analysis |
Jennifer M. Piscopo, Peter M. Siavelis
Argentine President Alberto Fernández visits the Museum of the Communist Party of China in Beijing on Feb. 4.
Argentine President Alberto Fernández visits the Museum of the Communist Party of China in Beijing on Feb. 4.

Argentina’s Embrace of China Should Be a Wake-Up Call

U.S. Latin America strategy needs serious reform—before it’s too late.

Argument |
Ariel González Levaggi, Ryan C. Berg
Police and soldiers stand outside a bar in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, minutes after an execution occurred inside on April 18, 2009.
Police and soldiers stand outside a bar in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, minutes after an execution occurred inside on April 18, 2009.

In the Americas, Homicide Is the Other Killer Epidemic

The good news: Lockdowns reduced crime almost everywhere else, and we know how to stop lethal violence.

Analysis |
Robert Muggah, Katherine Aguirre
Cubans line up to buy food outside a store in Havana on Jan. 6.
Cubans line up to buy food outside a store in Havana on Jan. 6.

Rethinking Maximum Pressure

Washington loosens its sanctions on Cuba and Venezuela ahead of a critical summit.

Latin America Brief |
Catherine Osborn
Solomon Islander Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare attends a meeting with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.
Solomon Islander Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare attends a meeting with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.

Australia’s Got a Solomon Islands Headache (Again)

China’s expansion into the South Pacific caught Australia and the United States off guard.

Report |
Mary Yang, Jack Detsch
265 people are evacuated out of Kabul.
265 people are evacuated out of Kabul.

Trump and Biden Let Afghanistan Collapse

The Taliban didn’t have to take over. But Washington made sure they would.

Analysis |
Lynne O’Donnell
A close-up photo of McFarlane as he raises his right hand.
A close-up photo of McFarlane as he raises his right hand.

The Tragedy of Robert McFarlane

He aspired to be the next Henry Kissinger. Instead, he became embroiled in the Iran-Contra scandal.

Obituary |
John Gans
A motorcycle passes in front of an oil-themed mural in Caracas, Venezuela
A motorcycle passes in front of an oil-themed mural in Caracas, Venezuela

Democracy Is Not a Commodity

The United States shouldn’t bargain away Venezuela’s future for oil.

Argument |
Isadora Zubillaga
Former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during the American Freedom Tour at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas, on May 14.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during the American Freedom Tour at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas, on May 14.

Trump’s Poison Pills Are Still Toxic

Whether it’s Iran, China, Cuba, or immigration, U.S. President Joe Biden often finds himself stymied by his predecessor’s foreign policy.

Analysis |
Michael Hirsh
A black and white police SUV is parked on a street with the Tops grocery store shown in the background.
A black and white police SUV is parked on a street with the Tops grocery store shown in the background.

The Global Roots of the Buffalo Shooting

White supremacists today are engaged in a global discussion, with violence part of the dialogue.

Analysis |
Daniel Byman
Oil rig silhouettes are seen before a bright orange and yellow sky.
Oil rig silhouettes are seen before a bright orange and yellow sky.

How Private Oil Companies Took Over U.S. Energy Security

And why it’s time to take it back.

Argument |
Gregory Brew
Former Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva speaks during an event to announce his pre-candidacy for the October presidential elections with running mate Geraldo Alckmin at Expo Center Norte in São Paulo on May 7.
Former Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva speaks during an event to announce his pre-candidacy for the October presidential elections with running mate Geraldo Alckmin at Expo Center Norte in São Paulo on May 7.

Lula’s Tricky Comeback

The Brazilian leftist has crafted an unusual alliance with the center. Will it sully or save him?

Latin America Brief |
Catherine Osborn
A cryptocurrency ATM screen
A cryptocurrency ATM screen

The Cryptocurrency Crash Is Replaying 2008 as Absurdly as Possible

Substitute dollars backed by almost nothing are taking down the market.

Argument |
David Gerard
U.S. President Joe Biden speaks in the South Court Auditorium on the White House campus in Washington on May 10.
U.S. President Joe Biden speaks in the South Court Auditorium on the White House campus in Washington on May 10.

Why Biden’s Anti-Putin Democracy Crusade Is Failing

Washington’s framing of its fight against Russian aggression has failed to win over most of the world.

Analysis |
Michael Hirsh
The full moon rises behind the Statue of Liberty in New York City on May 18, 2019.
The full moon rises behind the Statue of Liberty in New York City on May 18, 2019.

Liberalism Isn’t Dead—but It’s Very Sick

In two new books, Yascha Mounk and Francis Fukuyama try to cure the patient.

Analysis |
James Traub
U.S. President Joe Biden attends a meeting on the Build Back Better World program at the United Nations Climate Summit in Glasgow, Scotland, on Nov. 2, 2021.
U.S. President Joe Biden attends a meeting on the Build Back Better World program at the United Nations Climate Summit in Glasgow, Scotland, on Nov. 2, 2021.

Biden’s Foreign Aid Is Funding the Washington Bubble

As usual, U.S. assistance pays everyone except governments actually providing services to the world’s poor.

Argument |
Charles Kenny, Scott Morris
Pro-Choice demonstrators celebrate outside the Justice Palace in Bogota after the Constitutional Court voted in favor of decriminalizing abortion up to 24 weeks of gestation
Pro-Choice demonstrators celebrate outside the Justice Palace in Bogota after the Constitutional Court voted in favor of decriminalizing abortion up to 24 weeks of gestation

How Latin American Feminists Won Abortion Rights

Many argue abortion is not just an issue of individual choice but also of social justice.

Latin America Brief |
Catherine Osborn
U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks at the White House in Washington on Feb. 5, 2021.
U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks at the White House in Washington on Feb. 5, 2021.

Is Biden Fighting the Last War on Trade?

Critics question Trump-era tariffs as inflation climbs and U.S. leadership lags.

Analysis |
Michael Hirsh
The families of American hostages detained abroad hold a rally in front of the White House.
The families of American hostages detained abroad hold a rally in front of the White House.

Families of American Hostages Abroad Find Power—and Solace—in Numbers

Biden faces pressure to secure release of Americans wrongfully detained abroad.

Report |
Robbie Gramer, Amy Mackinnon
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (L) and General Mark Milley (R), Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, testify before the Senate Armed Services Committee April 7 in Washington.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (L) and General Mark Milley (R), Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, testify before the Senate Armed Services Committee April 7 in Washington.

Yes, the United States Should Weaken Russia

The old approach of outreach and inclusion has failed. In the wake of Russia’s latest invasion, Washington must seek to erode Moscow’s power.

Argument |
John R. Deni
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro gestures during a meeting of the National Confederation of Industry in Brasília, Brazil, on Dec. 7, 2021.
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro gestures during a meeting of the National Confederation of Industry in Brasília, Brazil, on Dec. 7, 2021.

Bolsonaro Is Already Undermining Brazil’s Upcoming Election

The populist president and his devotees are casting a dark cloud over the October vote.

Analysis |
Robert Muggah
U.S. President Joe Biden speaks during the first North American Leaders’ Summit since 2016 in the East Room of the White House in Washington on Nov. 18, 2021.
U.S. President Joe Biden speaks during the first North American Leaders’ Summit since 2016 in the East Room of the White House in Washington on Nov. 18, 2021.

Biden Is Setting Himself Up for Embarrassment in Los Angeles

The upcoming Summit of the Americas could be the gravestone on U.S. influence in the region.

Argument |
Christopher Sabatini
Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, listens during the daily coronavirus briefing at the White House in Washington on April 9, 2020.
Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, listens during the daily coronavirus briefing at the White House in Washington on April 9, 2020.

Fauci: China’s COVID-19 Situation a ‘Disaster’

The White House’s chief medical advisor assesses the world’s response to the pandemic.

Q&A |
Ravi Agrawal
A Ukrainian soldier speaks on his smartphone outside a building in Kyiv hit by a Russian missile, on Feb. 25.
A Ukrainian soldier speaks on his smartphone outside a building in Kyiv hit by a Russian missile, on Feb. 25.

How Elon Musk’s Starlink Got Battle-Tested in Ukraine

Fast-expanding satellite broadband services are proving decisive during war and other emergencies.

Analysis |
Vivek Wadhwa, Alex Salkever
Buenos Aires protest against inflation
Buenos Aires protest against inflation

The Dangerous New Anti-Globalization Consensus

Soaring inflation is just one reason for Washington to keep global disintegration in check.

Analysis |
Edward Alden
Joe Biden and Xi Jinping watch a dance performance during a visit to International Studies Learning Center February 16, 2012 in South Gate, California.
Joe Biden and Xi Jinping watch a dance performance during a visit to International Studies Learning Center February 16, 2012 in South Gate, California.

It’s Going to Be a Hot Summer for the U.S.-China Relationship

After an uneasy detente, the Biden administration’s China strategy is about to make itself felt.

Analysis |
Reva Goujon
Art collectives march in Buenos Aires to commemorate the Day of Remembrance for Truth and Justice.
Art collectives march in Buenos Aires to commemorate the Day of Remembrance for Truth and Justice.

Will Argentina’s Stolen Generation Be Forgotten?

Far-right leaders want to erase the memory of the junta’s disappeared. The fight to remember them is now in the hands of Argentine youth.

Dispatch |
Lucía Cholakian Herrera
U.S. President Joe Biden meets with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley, members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and combatant commanders at the White House in Washington on April 20.
U.S. President Joe Biden meets with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley, members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and combatant commanders at the White House in Washington on April 20.

Biden’s Dangerous New Ukraine Endgame: No Endgame

With his strategy to “weaken” Russia, the U.S. president may be turning the Ukraine war into a global one.

Analysis |
Michael Hirsh
Argentine President Alberto Fernández and Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador talk during the commemoration of Mexico’s Flag Day and the 200th anniversary of the enactment of the Iguala Plan at Cerro del Tehuehue in Iguala, Mexico, on Feb. 24, 2021.
Argentine President Alberto Fernández and Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador talk during the commemoration of Mexico’s Flag Day and the 200th anniversary of the enactment of the Iguala Plan at Cerro del Tehuehue in Iguala, Mexico, on Feb. 24, 2021.

Washington Learns to Live With Regional Differences on Ukraine

The White House is mellowing its public criticism of the stances Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico have taken on the war.

Latin America Brief |
Catherine Osborn
Former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry speaks during a Commonwealth Club of California event in San Francisco on Sept. 13, 2018.
Former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry speaks during a Commonwealth Club of California event in San Francisco on Sept. 13, 2018.

John Kerry: ‘We’re Behind. We’re Way Behind.’

America’s climate envoy on what it will take to turn things around for the planet.

Q&A |
Ravi Agrawal
Soldiers stand on an armored vehicle in the middle of the road.
Soldiers stand on an armored vehicle in the middle of the road.

The U.S. Left Billions Worth of Weapons in Afghanistan

Some officials are worried that the Taliban could use U.S. drones and small arms.

Situation Report |
Jack Detsch, Robbie Gramer
People protest in Jamaica.
People protest in Jamaica.

Why Do Caribbean Countries Want to Leave the Monarchy Now?

Of the 14 countries beyond the United Kingdom that retain Queen Elizabeth II as head of state, at least six in the Caribbean want out.

Explainer |
Mary Yang
A heat pump stands outside a property as part of a green housing project in Huddersfield recently retrofitted by Kirklees Council on March 16, 2022 in Huddersfield, England.
A heat pump stands outside a property as part of a green housing project in Huddersfield recently retrofitted by Kirklees Council on March 16, 2022 in Huddersfield, England.

Heat Pumps Will Change Everything—and Not Enough

It’s a long-term solution for climate change with plenty of short-term problems.

Analysis |
Anchal Vohra
anthony-fauci-landing-1500x1000-landing
anthony-fauci-landing-1500x1000-landing

Dr. Anthony Fauci Answered Your Questions

The White House’s chief medical advisor and NIAID director answered subscriber questions in this special edition of FP Live.

Comments |
Tal Alroy
An aerial view of the first thermosolar power plant in Latin America in Antofagasta, Chile, on Sept. 22, 2021.
An aerial view of the first thermosolar power plant in Latin America in Antofagasta, Chile, on Sept. 22, 2021.

Chile Bets Big on Green Hydrogen

The country aims to lure investors and become a global clean energy hub.

Latin America Brief |
Catherine Osborn
A nurse administers a Pfizer booster vaccine.
A nurse administers a Pfizer booster vaccine.

The Next Pandemic Doesn’t Have to Hit So Hard

Investing in global health security can provide critical insurance against disaster.

Argument |
Janet Yellen, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Sri Mulyani Indrawati
Solar technicians from Alianza Ceibo/Amazon Frontlines help members
Solar technicians from Alianza Ceibo/Amazon Frontlines help members

Ecuador’s Distant Dream of a Green Recovery

The debt-saddled country is struggling to meet its climate goals under IMF austerity.

Dispatch |
Catherine Osborn
Several gas station signs displaying current prices are shown along a street.
Several gas station signs displaying current prices are shown along a street.

The Ukraine Crisis Offers a Rare Chance for Energy and Climate Cooperation

Russia’s war in Ukraine has exposed some difficult truths about the world’s energy needs.

Argument |
Jason Bordoff, Meghan L. O’Sullivan
Decoder-Haiti-Koltiz_Alexandra_Antoine_illustration-3-2
Decoder-Haiti-Koltiz_Alexandra_Antoine_illustration-3-2

Kòltiz, a Patriotic Haitian Practice of Solidarity

Haitian collaborative groups affirm that “every human is human.”

Decoder |
Benjamin Hebblethwaite
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador speaks during his daily morning press conference in Mexico City on April 11.
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador speaks during his daily morning press conference in Mexico City on April 11.

AMLO’s Electrical Faceoff

Mexico and the United States might be headed for their biggest clash yet under USMCA.

Latin America Brief |
Catherine Osborn
A man sits near a portrait of Russian President Vladimir Putin during a demonstration in Bamako, Mali, on Feb. 19 celebrating France’s announcement that it will withdraw its troops from the country.
A man sits near a portrait of Russian President Vladimir Putin during a demonstration in Bamako, Mali, on Feb. 19 celebrating France’s announcement that it will withdraw its troops from the country.

Russia Flounders in Ukraine but Doubles Down in Mali

Russian mercenaries fill Mali vacuum as European powers pursue an exit.

Report |
Colum Lynch, Amy Mackinnon, Robbie Gramer
how-beijing-sees-biden-nicolas-ortega-illustration-hp
how-beijing-sees-biden-nicolas-ortega-illustration-hp

How Beijing Sees Biden

For decades, Chinese leaders thought they knew the man who would become America’s 46th president. But he was changing all along.

Essay |
Melinda Liu
A rocket blasts off at night.
A rocket blasts off at night.

China and Russia Are Catching Up to U.S. in Space Capabilities, Pentagon Warns

The militarization of space is picking up pace.

Situation Report |
Jack Detsch, Robbie Gramer
U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets and an EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft on board the USS Ronald Reagan  aircraft carrier as it sails in South China Sea on its way to Singapore on Oct. 16, 2019.
U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets and an EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft on board the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier as it sails in South China Sea on its way to Singapore on Oct. 16, 2019.

Does the New U.S. National Defense Strategy Make Any Sense?

The Pentagon is scrambling to deter China while adjusting to war in Europe—but does its new approach amount to more than just rhetoric?

It's Debatable |
Emma Ashford, Matthew Kroenig
Migrants and asylum-seekers march to protest against the United States’ Title 42 policy on the Mexican side of the San Ysidro crossing port in Tijuana, Baja California state, Mexico, on March 21.
Migrants and asylum-seekers march to protest against the United States’ Title 42 policy on the Mexican side of the San Ysidro crossing port in Tijuana, Baja California state, Mexico, on March 21.

The End of Title 42 Doesn’t Mean Back to Normal

During the pandemic, Washington outsourced harsh migration management to its southern neighbors.

Latin America Brief |
Catherine Osborn
An Iranian flag flies next to a ground-to-ground Sejjil missile at an undisclosed location in Iran.
An Iranian flag flies next to a ground-to-ground Sejjil missile at an undisclosed location in Iran.

The Little Iran Nuclear Deal That Couldn’t

A revived nuclear pact could benefit Washington and Tehran but is proving a hard sell.

Report |
Colum Lynch
Migrants, including Cameroonians, travel toward the United States in Panama.
Migrants, including Cameroonians, travel toward the United States in Panama.

U.S. Opens Door to Ukrainian Refugees, Shuts It for Others From Africa

People fleeing conflict in Cameroon wonder why they aren’t getting the same treatment as Ukrainians.

Report |
Robbie Gramer, Sara Hagos
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan (C) and his brother and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan (R) in Rabat, Morocco on March 29.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan (C) and his brother and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan (R) in Rabat, Morocco on March 29.

How Biden Can Rebuild U.S. Ties With the Gulf States

War in Ukraine and Yemen has strained relations between Washington and its Arab allies. Small moves from both sides could put things back on track.

Argument |
Bilal Y. Saab, Karen E. Young
U.S. Ambassador to Kenya Robert Godec (right) visits a PEPFAR project for girls’ empowerment in Nairobi on March 10, 2018.
U.S. Ambassador to Kenya Robert Godec (right) visits a PEPFAR project for girls’ empowerment in Nairobi on March 10, 2018.

The U.S. Congress Is Missing the Boat on Global Health Reform

Lawmakers are wasting a chance to fix the mistakes of COVID-19.

Argument |
Emily Bass
Then-U.S. President Donald Trump talks to journalists during a news conference about his administration’s response to the coronavirus pandemic at the White House in Washington on July 22, 2020.
Then-U.S. President Donald Trump talks to journalists during a news conference about his administration’s response to the coronavirus pandemic at the White House in Washington on July 22, 2020.

Donald Trump’s History Book

Journalists have written the “first rough draft of history,” but now it is historians’ turn to assess a most unconventional presidency.

Review |
Nick Bryant
Activists march with an inflatable globe during a demonstration against nuclear weapons in Berlin on Nov. 18, 2017.
Activists march with an inflatable globe during a demonstration against nuclear weapons in Berlin on Nov. 18, 2017.

How to Avoid the Dark Ages of Arms Control

There are two possible pathways after Ukraine. One of them is harrowing.

Argument |
Heather Williams
A Chinese flag flies behind razor wire
A Chinese flag flies behind razor wire

Congress Splits Over How to Address LGBT Rights in China

A landmark report on human rights in China was delayed six months over a behind-the-scenes impasse on LGBTQ rights.

Exclusive |
Robbie Gramer, Mary Yang
Salvadoran national civilian police prepare to go out on patrol, in conjunction with the armed forces, following the government’s declaration of state of emergency in San Salvador on March 27.
Salvadoran national civilian police prepare to go out on patrol, in conjunction with the armed forces, following the government’s declaration of state of emergency in San Salvador on March 27.

The Open Secret of Government-Gang Talks

El Salvador’s lull in homicides was likely the result of such negotiations. They’d be far from Latin America’s first.

Latin America Brief |
Catherine Osborn
Peace activists pose with mock nuclear missiles in Berlin.
Peace activists pose with mock nuclear missiles in Berlin.

The West Is With Ukraine. The Rest, Not So Much.

Africa and Asia’s long-standing ties to Russia and resentments against Washington keep them on the fence—for now.

Report |
Colum Lynch
A black-and-white photo of soldiers in trench coats and hats read newspapers.
A black-and-white photo of soldiers in trench coats and hats read newspapers.

Americans Have Never Wanted the Truth

A new history of fakery in U.S. journalism shows the public has always had an appetite for fake news.

Review |
Vivian Schiller
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan speaks during the daily White House press briefing in Washington on Feb 11.
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan speaks during the daily White House press briefing in Washington on Feb 11.

Why Is the Wartime Press Corps So Hawkish?

The United States’ most reputable media outlets have a long history of tilting toward military action.

Argument |
Mark Hannah
Madeleine Albright talks with reporter State Department 1997
Madeleine Albright talks with reporter State Department 1997

Childhood Trauma Taught Madeleine Albright to Stand Up to Despots

But Ukraine’s plight haunted her final days.

Obituary |
Margaret Warner
People cheer during a celebration after the number of signatures to call a referendum to repeal some portions of the Law of Urgent Consideration were achieved in Montevideo, Uruguay, on July 8, 2021.
People cheer during a celebration after the number of signatures to call a referendum to repeal some portions of the Law of Urgent Consideration were achieved in Montevideo, Uruguay, on July 8, 2021.

Uruguay’s Low-Key Drama

Latin America’s most stable democracy holds a high-stakes policy referendum.

Latin America Brief |
Catherine Osborn
Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is pictured while meeting with the Tunisian President during his arrival at the presidential palace in Carthage on the eastern outskirts of the capital Tunis on November 27, 2018.
Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is pictured while meeting with the Tunisian President during his arrival at the presidential palace in Carthage on the eastern outskirts of the capital Tunis on November 27, 2018.

Mohammed bin Salman Has Leverage on Biden—and Is Using It

Saudi Arabia’s cooperation on lowering oil prices will come at the cost of the West’s values.

Analysis |
Anchal Vohra
Secretary of State Madeleine Albright
Secretary of State Madeleine Albright

Madeleine Albright, America’s First Female Secretary of State, Dies

A lifelong foe of autocrats who declared, “I do wear my patriotism on my sleeve.”

Obituary |
Michael Hirsh
A picture taken on February 24, 2022 shows a video-conference of G7 leaders on Ukraine at the Elysee Palace in Paris.
A picture taken on February 24, 2022 shows a video-conference of G7 leaders on Ukraine at the Elysee Palace in Paris.

Only a Financial NATO Can Win the Economic War

The West’s sanctions abroad will fall short without cooperation on bailouts at home.

Argument |
Matthew C. Klein, Jordan Schneider, David Talbot
Hands are shown holding a small U.S. Flag and a folder that says "U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services."
Hands are shown holding a small U.S. Flag and a folder that says "U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services."

What Happens When White People Become a Minority in America?

Other majority-minority societies offer positive examples—and cautionary tales.

Excerpt |
Justin Gest
A woman pushes a baby carriage past the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv
A woman pushes a baby carriage past the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv

U.S. Envoy Offers Limited Lifelines to Local Ukraine Embassy Staff

State Department tells local employees it left behind that the U.S. will continue paying them for “as long as possible.”

Exclusive |
Robbie Gramer, Christina Lu
Members of the Venezuelan army take part in a military parade in Tumeremo, Bolívar state, Venezuela, about 56 miles from the border with Guyana, on July 21, 2015.
Members of the Venezuelan army take part in a military parade in Tumeremo, Bolívar state, Venezuela, about 56 miles from the border with Guyana, on July 21, 2015.

Another Conflict Is Brewing in the Caribbean

Russia’s war in Ukraine stirs Venezuela’s dreams of conquest in oil-rich Guyana.

Argument |
Paul J. Angelo, Wazim Mowla
Illustration United States Ukraine
Illustration United States Ukraine

U.S. Grand Strategy After Ukraine

Seven thinkers weigh in on how the war will shift U.S. foreign policy.

Analysis |
Anne-Marie Slaughter, Kishore Mahbubani, Stephen M. Walt, Toshihiro Nakayama, Shannon K. O'Neil, C. Raja Mohan, Robin Niblett
Gustavo Petro, the presidential candidate for the Colombia Humana political party, celebrates after winning the primary for the leftist Pacto Historico coalition in Bogotá on March 13.
Gustavo Petro, the presidential candidate for the Colombia Humana political party, celebrates after winning the primary for the leftist Pacto Historico coalition in Bogotá on March 13.

Colombia’s Left Finds Its Footing

A leftist has never ruled Colombia. But after last week’s primaries, the country’s upcoming presidential election is Gustavo Petro’s to lose.

Latin America Brief |
Catherine Osborn
A worker in a dust-proof suit controls an LED epitaxy chip production line at a semiconductor workshop in Nanchang, in China's Jiangxi Province on Jan. 26.
A worker in a dust-proof suit controls an LED epitaxy chip production line at a semiconductor workshop in Nanchang, in China's Jiangxi Province on Jan. 26.

How Will New Export Controls Impact the Global Semiconductor Shortage?

The U.S. mirrors tactics used against China on Russia as war in Ukraine escalates.

FP Insider Special Reports |
FP Analytics
Sen. Rick Scott attends a Senate hearing.
Sen. Rick Scott attends a Senate hearing.

Republican Senators Block Confirmation of Key Biden Officials, Stymying Ukraine Response

A Democratic lawmaker accuses Sen. Rick Scott of “single-handedly undermining” the United States’ full response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Report |
Colum Lynch, Robbie Gramer
Ukrainian emergency employees and volunteers carry an injured pregnant woman.
Ukrainian emergency employees and volunteers carry an injured pregnant woman.

America’s ICC Animus Gets Tested by Putin’s Alleged War Crimes

Does U.S. support for an investigation of Russia’s attack on Ukraine signal a bigger policy shift?

Report |
Colum Lynch
Supporters of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro protest during a motorcade and demonstration in favor of the government in São Paulo on March 14, 2021.
Supporters of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro protest during a motorcade and demonstration in favor of the government in São Paulo on March 14, 2021.

Bolsonaro Is Learning All the Wrong Lessons From Jan. 6

The Trump-dominated GOP models how a violent effort to overturn an election—even if unsuccessful—can become a political asset.

Argument |
Oliver Stuenkel
Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Argentine President Alberto Fernández at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Feb. 6.
Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Argentine President Alberto Fernández at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Feb. 6.

Washington Must Respond to China’s Growing Military Presence in Latin America

Colombia’s designation as a major non-NATO ally comes at a critical moment.

Argument |
Leland Lazarus, Ryan C. Berg
Journalists visit the Huawei Digital Transformation Showcase in Shenzhen, China, on March 6, 2019.
Journalists visit the Huawei Digital Transformation Showcase in Shenzhen, China, on March 6, 2019.

Digital Human Rights Need a Single Home in U.S. Government

If everybody is responsible for countering digital authoritarianism, no one is responsible.

Argument |
Victoria Coleman, Janet Napolitano
Members of the Honduran police special forces stand outside the home of former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández in Tegucigalpa on Feb. 15.
Members of the Honduran police special forces stand outside the home of former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández in Tegucigalpa on Feb. 15.

Hernández’s Arrest Won’t Stop the Drug War

Washington continues to empower repressive and corrupt Latin American governments through flawed security initiatives.

Analysis |
Jared Olson
Chilean miner Juan Bugueño leaves the Kiara copper mine in Chile, after work on June 22, 2021.
Chilean miner Juan Bugueño leaves the Kiara copper mine in Chile, after work on June 22, 2021.

Why This Commodity Crunch Is Different

The last time prices soared, Latin American economies boomed. Now, trouble is ahead.

Latin America Brief |
Catherine Osborn
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov welcomes his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov welcomes his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.

Russia’s ‘Eleventh-Hour’ Interference in the Iran Deal

Moscow is seeking to use the Iran deal to shield itself from the full effect of Western sanctions.

Report |
Colum Lynch
U.S. President Joe Biden speaks in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington on March 8.
U.S. President Joe Biden speaks in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington on March 8.

Biden Bans Russian Oil Imports

It’s a symbolic move—with potentially big geopolitical consequences.

Report |
Christina Lu
Maduro and Putin on a placard in Caracas
Maduro and Putin on a placard in Caracas

U.S.-Venezuelan Oil Deal Should Not Forget Democracy

A surprise trip to Caracas seems to have secured some energy relief—but needs to yield democratic benefits, too.

Argument |
David Smilde
More than 100,000 protesters crowd around the victory 
column near the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin to demonstrate 
for peace in Ukraine on Feb. 27.
More than 100,000 protesters crowd around the victory column near the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin to demonstrate for peace in Ukraine on Feb. 27.

There Is a West

The crisis in Ukraine has reminded the United States and Europe that they have a purpose in the world.

Argument |
James Traub
Trudeau is seen speaking, wearing a suit.
Trudeau is seen speaking, wearing a suit.

How Trudeau Botched the Trucker Protests Response

The Canadian prime minister’s low-profile approach harmed confidence in his leadership at home and abroad.

Dispatch |
Claire Porter Robbins
Vice President Kamala Harris (left), President Joe Biden (center) and US Secretary of State Tony Blinken (right) participate in a virtual bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021.
Vice President Kamala Harris (left), President Joe Biden (center) and US Secretary of State Tony Blinken (right) participate in a virtual bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021.

Biden Eyes Adding Top Foreign-Policy Strategist

Thomas Wright of Brookings has made a career studying the international order. Now he might get to fix it.

Exclusive |
Jack Detsch, Robbie Gramer
People walk near Parliament Hill past the remains of a truck blockade in Ottawa, Ontario.
People walk near Parliament Hill past the remains of a truck blockade in Ottawa, Ontario.

Canada Is Wondering What Exactly Emergencies Are

After protests are forcibly ended, questions remain about government power.

Report |
Patrick Egwu
Results of the United Nations’ vote on Russian aggression are projected.
Results of the United Nations’ vote on Russian aggression are projected.

U.N. Denounces Russia’s Ukraine Invasion

U.N. General Assembly deplores Russian aggression in Ukraine in a lopsided 141-5 vote that underscored Russia’s deepening diplomatic isolation.

Report |
Colum Lynch
U.S. President Joe Biden delivers his State of the Union address
U.S. President Joe Biden delivers his State of the Union address

Biden: Putin ‘Badly Miscalculated’ in Invading Ukraine

Washington’s efforts to stop Moscow’s war dominate U.S. president’s State of the Union address.

Report |
Colum Lynch
Russia's U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia
Russia's U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia

Russia’s Actions Fuel Calls for U.N. to Rein in Security Council Veto Power

The U.N. Charter puts limits on the veto power permanent members enjoy. Now, some countries want that enforced.

Report |
Colum Lynch
A meeting of the United Nations Security Council is held in New York.
A meeting of the United Nations Security Council is held in New York.

Ukraine Crisis Spills Into Yemen Diplomacy

The UAE withholds criticism of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as it seeks Moscow’s diplomatic backing in Yemen. 

Report |
Colum Lynch
United Nations headquarters
United Nations headquarters

U.S. Expels 12 Alleged Russian Spies

Russia warns retaliation likely.

Report |
Colum Lynch
An activist holds a placard in Lafayette Square to protest Russia's invasion of Ukraine in Washington.
An activist holds a placard in Lafayette Square to protest Russia's invasion of Ukraine in Washington.

The Loophole in Biden’s Sanctions That Allows Russia to Prosper

How to punish Putin without devastating Europe’s economy remains a challenge.

Q&A |
Cameron Abadi
U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna (L), Democrat of California speaks during a press conference following a vote in the US House on ending US military involvement in the war in Yemen, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., April 4, 2019.
U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna (L), Democrat of California speaks during a press conference following a vote in the US House on ending US military involvement in the war in Yemen, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., April 4, 2019.

Ro Khanna: Ukraine Will Be Russia’s Afghanistan

“Concerned about providing lethal aid before the war started,” the Democratic congressman is now more “open” to helping Ukraine.

Q&A |
Colm Quinn
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield speak.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield speak.

Biden Struggles to Get Some Allies to Support Condemnation of Russia at the U.N.

India and the UAE remain on the fence, worried about relations with Moscow.

Report |
Colum Lynch
Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow on Dec. 5, 2018.
Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow on Dec. 5, 2018.

How the War in Ukraine Could Empower Maduro

Skyrocketing oil prices give Venezuela’s embattled leader less incentive to pursue sanctions relief.

Latin America Brief |
Catherine Osborn
A Russian flag at the embassy in Washington is seen through a lens.
A Russian flag at the embassy in Washington is seen through a lens.

Biden Enlists Asian Partners for Unprecedented Russia Sanctions Plans

Restrictive export controls, including on semiconductors, may be more effective than Western sanctions alone.

Report |
Jack Detsch, Robbie Gramer
Putin Xi handshake
Putin Xi handshake

Washington Must Prepare for War With Both Russia and China

Pivoting to Asia and forgetting about Europe isn’t an option.

Argument |
Matthew Kroenig
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and Russian President Vladimir Putin meet at the Kremlin in Moscow on Feb. 16.
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and Russian President Vladimir Putin meet at the Kremlin in Moscow on Feb. 16.

What Bolsonaro’s Huddle With Putin Says About BRICS

Founded in a bygone geopolitical era, the economic grouping complicates great-power competition today.

Latin America Brief |
Catherine Osborn
Environmental activists rally for accountability for fossil fuel companies outside of the New York Supreme Court in New York City on Oct. 22, 2019.
Environmental activists rally for accountability for fossil fuel companies outside of the New York Supreme Court in New York City on Oct. 22, 2019.

How PR Firms Captured the Sustainability Agenda

More than just “spin artists,” consultancies have promoted economic growth and environmental protection as mutually reinforcing.

Argument |
Melissa Aronczyk
An aerial view of cleaning crews in white suits working on a shore to remove oil from a beach.
An aerial view of cleaning crews in white suits working on a shore to remove oil from a beach.

How Peru Laid the Groundwork for an Oil Spill Disaster

The nation’s unsustainable development model has ignored serious environmental risks.

Dispatch |
Simeon Tegel
Joe Biden speaks to reporters before the start of a bilateral meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in the Oval Office at the White House on February 7, 2022 in Washington.
Joe Biden speaks to reporters before the start of a bilateral meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in the Oval Office at the White House on February 7, 2022 in Washington.

Biden’s Truman Moment Has Arrived in Ukraine

The U.S. president is committed to containment against Russia. But what kind?

Analysis |
James Traub
Peace activists pose with mock nuclear missiles in Berlin.
Peace activists pose with mock nuclear missiles in Berlin.

Biden Can Find Middle Ground in Heated Nuclear Debate

A conditions-based policy can reassure allies while moving U.S. policy forward.

Analysis |
Duyeon Kim
FBI Director Christopher Wray speaks at a press conference about Chinese hacking at the Justice Department in Washington, DC, on December 20, 2018.
FBI Director Christopher Wray speaks at a press conference about Chinese hacking at the Justice Department in Washington, DC, on December 20, 2018.

How the China Initiative Went Wrong

A key anti-espionage effort is mired in accusations of racism and overzealous prosecutions.

Analysis |
Matt Schiavenza
Lucia Arecely Vail looks down at her daughter playing below from the top of her unfinished home in Cajolá, Guatemala.
Lucia Arecely Vail looks down at her daughter playing below from the top of her unfinished home in Cajolá, Guatemala.

For Central Americans, Biden’s Spending Could Spark a Boom

Remittances from migrant laborers could help drive economic growth in places such as Guatemala.

Dispatch |
Megan Janetsky
A crowd of protesters walk from the U.S. Capitol building to the White House.
A crowd of protesters walk from the U.S. Capitol building to the White House.

How the Real World Shows Up in the IR Classroom

A gender and generational divide influences how professors teach about history-making events.

Analysis |
Kelebogile Zvobgo
From left to right, Costa Rican President Carlos Alvarado Quesada, Panamanian President Laurentino Cortizo, and Dominican President Luis Abinader wave during a welcoming ceremony prior to their meeting at the presidential palace in Panama City on Oct. 20, 2021.
From left to right, Costa Rican President Carlos Alvarado Quesada, Panamanian President Laurentino Cortizo, and Dominican President Luis Abinader wave during a welcoming ceremony prior to their meeting at the presidential palace in Panama City on Oct. 20, 2021.

Can a New Central American Alliance Nudge Ortega?

Costa Rica’s next president will guide a pro-democracy pact with Panama and the Dominican Republic.

Latin America Brief |
Catherine Osborn
A U.S. Air Force crew is aboard an aircraft with Afghan evacuees at night. The lighting from inside the aircraft appears green and two U.S. flags are seen hanging in the back.
A U.S. Air Force crew is aboard an aircraft with Afghan evacuees at night. The lighting from inside the aircraft appears green and two U.S. flags are seen hanging in the back.

Evacuating Afghanistan Was ‘Like Pulling Teeth’

Diplomats didn’t get serious about the U.S. evacuation until days before it began.

Situation Report |
Robbie Gramer, Jack Detsch
A masked man carrying an upside-down U.S. flag stands in front of a marble building where police look out a window.
A masked man carrying an upside-down U.S. flag stands in front of a marble building where police look out a window.

How Far-Right Terrorists Choose Their Enemies

Debates over which targets to prioritize aren’t exclusive to jihadi groups.

Analysis |
Jacob Ware, Colin P. Clarke
A Confederate flag with a truck painted on top of it is shown in front of Canada's Parliament near a sign that says "WE the FRINGE."
A Confederate flag with a truck painted on top of it is shown in front of Canada's Parliament near a sign that says "WE the FRINGE."

Why Are Canadian Protesters Flying Confederate Flags?

How the Canadian trucker protests became a big-tent rally of Canada’s growing far-right.

Explainer |
Taylor C. Noakes
Honduran President-elect Xiomara Castro and her husband, former Honduran President Manuel Zelaya arrive at the National Stadium in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, on Jan. 27.
Honduran President-elect Xiomara Castro and her husband, former Honduran President Manuel Zelaya arrive at the National Stadium in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, on Jan. 27.

Can Xiomara Castro Make Honduras Safe for Activists?

Her election came on the heels of a major conviction in the murder of environmentalist Berta Cáceres, suggesting there is hope for the country’s civil society.

Analysis |
Nili Blanck
President Joe Biden speaks at a virtual summit on democracy.
President Joe Biden speaks at a virtual summit on democracy.

Top White House Human Rights Official Leaving Post

Shanthi Kalathil played a key role in organizing Biden’s Summit for Democracy.

Exclusive |
Robbie Gramer
A man holds two posters shaped like gun in a crowd of people holding Brazil flags in support of Bolsonaro.
A man holds two posters shaped like gun in a crowd of people holding Brazil flags in support of Bolsonaro.

Bolsonaro’s Pro-Gun Agenda May Become Law

A divisive bill represents a watershed moment for the gun debate in Brazil.

Dispatch |
Laís Martins
A face mask is seen in front of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on May 26, 2020 at Wall Street in New York City.
A face mask is seen in front of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on May 26, 2020 at Wall Street in New York City.

Economists Are Fueling the War Against Public Health

A new report is being hailed by conservatives—but doesn’t stand up to scrutiny.

Analysis |
Laurie Garrett
Auto workers in Mexico
Auto workers in Mexico

Decades Late, NAFTA’s Promise on Workers’ Rights Comes Good

In Mexico, a breakthrough trade case involving General Motors could become a global model.

Analysis |
Edward Alden
People take part in a demonstration against the government of Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel in Havana on July 11, 2021.
People take part in a demonstration against the government of Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel in Havana on July 11, 2021.

Boxing Cuba In Benefits No One

It’s on the United States to break the detente because Cuba’s continued isolation may have serious geopolitical consequences.

Argument |
Christopher Sabatini, Lauren Cornwall
From left to right, three of Costa Rica’s presidential candidates—José María Figueres of the National Liberation Party, Lineth Saborío of the Social Christian Unity Party, and Fabricio Alvarado Muñoz of the New Republic party—participate in a debate in San José on Feb. 1.
From left to right, three of Costa Rica’s presidential candidates—José María Figueres of the National Liberation Party, Lineth Saborío of the Social Christian Unity Party, and Fabricio Alvarado Muñoz of the New Republic party—participate in a debate in San José on Feb. 1.

Costa Rica’s Boring Elections Are a Model for the World

No matter who wins, Sunday’s vote won’t make headlines abroad. That’s a good thing.

Argument |
Lucas Perelló, Will Freeman
A screen on a bus shows Chinese President Xi Jinping making a speech via video link for a session of the International Olympic Committee in Beijing on Feb. 3.
A screen on a bus shows Chinese President Xi Jinping making a speech via video link for a session of the International Olympic Committee in Beijing on Feb. 3.

Argentina and Ecuador Choose Business Over Boycotts in Beijing

Alberto Fernández and Guillermo Lasso hope financial backing from China can quell economic and political troubles at home.

Latin America Brief |
Catherine Osborn
A Syrian who was injured along with his family in a U.S. drone strike stands by his son at a hospital.
A Syrian who was injured along with his family in a U.S. drone strike stands by his son at a hospital.

Why the U.S. Military Has Been Undercounting Civilian Dead

Ground-level evaluations can help avoid future horrors.

Argument |
Michael J. McNerney, Gabrielle Tarini
A military device lies on the ground in Syria.
A military device lies on the ground in Syria.

Inside the U.S. Commando Raid Targeting the Islamic State Leader

Islamic State leader kills himself during a raid by elite U.S. forces.

Situation Report |
Robbie Gramer
Honduran President Xiomara Castro holds up her fist as she wears a blue and white sash at her inauguration. She is standing beside a person in a military uniform.
Honduran President Xiomara Castro holds up her fist as she wears a blue and white sash at her inauguration. She is standing beside a person in a military uniform.

How Honduras’s Congress Split in Two

A country euphoric about its first woman president is plunged back into political turmoil.

Dispatch |
Jared Olson
Olympic British speed skater Farrell Treacy in Beijing.
Olympic British speed skater Farrell Treacy in Beijing.

U.N. Chief Rebuffs U.S. Request to Skip Beijing Olympics

U.S. envoy Linda Thomas-Greenfield presses António Guterres to confront China over rights abuses in Xinjiang.

Exclusive |
Colum Lynch
Members of leftist groups demonstrate against the International Monetary Fund on the eve of a $730 million installment due to repay Argentina’s debt in Buenos Aires on Jan. 27.
Members of leftist groups demonstrate against the International Monetary Fund on the eve of a $730 million installment due to repay Argentina’s debt in Buenos Aires on Jan. 27.

Argentina and the IMF Turn Away From Austerity

Last week’s agreement may set a better precedent for dealing with debt levels around the world.

Argument |
Joseph E. Stiglitz, Mark Weisbrot
black history month recommended books
black history month recommended books

7 Books on Black History and Foreign Policy Everyone Should Read

From the exploitation of Africans by the European colonial project to the American empire’s “long war on terror,” here are a few entry points.

Roundup |
Jennifer Williams
Gabriel Boric celebrates with supporters at the end of the Presidential Elections on November 21, 2021 in Santiago, Chile.
Gabriel Boric celebrates with supporters at the end of the Presidential Elections on November 21, 2021 in Santiago, Chile.

Latin America’s Leftists Aren’t Who You Think

The region’s left has won a series of elections—but U.S. interests aren’t under threat.

Analysis |
Benjamin N. Gedan, Richard E. Feinberg
U.S. Air Force transport plane shown through shattered glass at Baghdad airport
U.S. Air Force transport plane shown through shattered glass at Baghdad airport

How America Learned to Love (Ineffective) Sanctions

Over the past century, the United States came to rely ever more on economic coercion—with questionable results.

Excerpt |
Nicholas Mulder
tech-diversity-hiring-remote-work-illustration-foreign-policy-new
tech-diversity-hiring-remote-work-illustration-foreign-policy-new

How to Fix Big Tech’s Diversity Problem

Tech companies around the world could easily recruit more women and minorities if only they knew where to look.

Argument |
Bhaskar Chakravorti
U.S. President George W. Bush gives a thumbs-up sign after declaring the end of major combat in Iraq as he speaks aboard an aircraft carrier off the California coast on May 1, 2003. The "Mission Accomplished" moment months into the war became a source of derision as the conflict wore on until the formal end to the U.S. combat mission in Iraq in December 2021. J. Scott Applewhite/AP
U.S. President George W. Bush gives a thumbs-up sign after declaring the end of major combat in Iraq as he speaks aboard an aircraft carrier off the California coast on May 1, 2003. The "Mission Accomplished" moment months into the war became a source of derision as the conflict wore on until the formal end to the U.S. combat mission in Iraq in December 2021. J. Scott Applewhite/AP

America Has an Unhealthy Obsession With Credibility

There’s no reason U.S. grand strategy should be so concerned with its own reputation.

Argument |
Stephen M. Walt
U.S. President Joe Biden speaks at the 90th Winter Meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 21.
U.S. President Joe Biden speaks at the 90th Winter Meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 21.

Biden Is Too Slow on Nominations

His failure to tap ambassadors to key posts “sends the wrong message.”

Shadow Government |
Jim Risch
A Panama supporter waves the national flag ahead of the Russia 2018 World Cup Group G football match between Belgium and Panama at the Fisht Stadium in Sochi on June 18, 2018.
A Panama supporter waves the national flag ahead of the Russia 2018 World Cup Group G football match between Belgium and Panama at the Fisht Stadium in Sochi on June 18, 2018.

Panama’s Success Is Defying Political Science

The Latin American country has experienced one of the world’s most impressive—and surprising—trajectories of the past three decades.

Analysis |
James Loxton
Brazilian samba legend Elza Soares performs in a concert in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Aug. 28, 2018.
Brazilian samba legend Elza Soares performs in a concert in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Aug. 28, 2018.

What the Death of Two Cultural Giants Says About Brazil Today

Political opposites Olavo de Carvalho and Elza Soares garnered vast youth followings in the final years of their lives.

Latin America Brief |
Catherine Osborn
Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia's envoy to the Iran nuclear talks in Vienna.
Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia's envoy to the Iran nuclear talks in Vienna.

The Iran Nuclear Talks’ Breakout Player

Love him or hate him, Russia’s man in Vienna has become the Iran deal’s unofficial spokesman.

Report |
Colum Lynch
This is the Davis Montham Air Force Base, It is an Aerospace Maintenance Regeneration Center, It is also known as the Bone Yards where they store old B52's, It symbolizes the Cold War and the National debt. (Photo by: Joe Sohm/Visions of America/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
This is the Davis Montham Air Force Base, It is an Aerospace Maintenance Regeneration Center, It is also known as the Bone Yards where they store old B52's, It symbolizes the Cold War and the National debt. (Photo by: Joe Sohm/Visions of America/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

America’s War for Global Order Is a Marathon

Washington’s latest crises with Russia and China are part of a new—and long-term—competition.

Excerpt |
Hal Brands
Flared natural gas is burned off at a corporation's operations in Texas.
Flared natural gas is burned off at a corporation's operations in Texas.

Why U.S. Natural Gas Is No Longer Too Dirty for France

Natural gas is key to the energy transition—but only if companies clean up their act.

Analysis |
Jordy Lee, Morgan D. Bazilian
Duque and Li in Beijing
Duque and Li in Beijing

As China Eyes Colombia, the United States Is AWOL

The country is a test case for Beijing’s encroachment in Latin America.

Argument |
John Padilla, Sergio Guzmán
The U.S. Navy and South Korean Navy hold joint drills in the western Pacific Ocean on May 3, 2017.
The U.S. Navy and South Korean Navy hold joint drills in the western Pacific Ocean on May 3, 2017.

The Pacific Shouldn’t Be a ‘Strategic Surprise’

Why aren’t Beijing’s ambitions in the region obvious to Washington?

Shadow Government |
Alexander B. Gray
A U.S. flag flies in front of the U.S. Capitol
A U.S. flag flies in front of the U.S. Capitol

A U.S. Foreign Policy Fit for the 21st Century

A new resolution aims to forge a foreign policy that works for everyday people.

Argument |
Pramila Jayapal, Barbara Lee
U.S. President Joe Biden speaks during the virtual Summit for Democracy in Washington on Dec. 9, 2021.
U.S. President Joe Biden speaks during the virtual Summit for Democracy in Washington on Dec. 9, 2021.

Strengthening Democracy Is a Better Counterterrorism Strategy

The spread of transnational violent groups is primarily a governance problem. Time to start treating it like one.

Argument |
Jason S. Calder, Lauren Van Metre
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Russian President Vladimir Putin watches the Russian Navy Day parade.
Russian President Vladimir Putin watches the Russian Navy Day parade.

Russia Is Readying the Zinc Coffins Again

U.S. officials believe Russia is facing its toughest fight since World War II.

Two unidentified military vessels off Taiwan
Two unidentified military vessels off Taiwan

Beijing’s Taiwan Aggression Has Backfired in Tokyo

Military exercises have stiffened Japanese resolve.

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Cargo ships are seen at a harbor in Taiwan.

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Shiite Muslims take part in a Muharram procession.

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